How long will it take for the veins in my legs to disappear after endovenous laser ablation?

I had an endovenous laser ablation procedure done 5 days ago. I am bruised and extremely sore, even when I walk. I am currently wearing support stockings. Will some of the ugly veins in my legs disappear in due time? It would be depressing if they were still there after going though this pain.

ANSWERS FROM DOCTORS

I give them a month to resolve and if they are still there, I'd have microphlebectomy to remove them.

2 years ago by
Arizona Vein Specialists

First, who did this to you and what did they tell you? Generally, there is very little pain following an endovenous laser ablation procedure, provided you wear the compression stockings and walk a lot. Inflammation from the laser can occur day 4 to 7, and Advil (ibuprofen) helps. Bulging veins may not regress if they have another source of reflux. Injection or phlebectomy are options to discuss. Wait time can be 1 to 3 months for regression to be fully apparent.

2 years ago by Arizona Vein Specialists

First, who did this to you and what did they tell you? Generally, there is very little pain following an endovenous laser ablation procedure, provided you wear the compression stockings and walk a lot. Inflammation from the laser can occur day 4 to 7, and Advil (ibuprofen) helps. Bulging veins may not regress if they have another source of reflux. Injection or phlebectomy are options to discuss. Wait time can be 1 to 3 months for regression to be fully apparent.

It would depend if those 'ugly' veins were connected to the vein that was ablated. If those veins have another source, then they will not go away until the source is treated. Or, if they bulge out, then they will have to be pulled out by ambulatory phlebectomy.

It would depend if those 'ugly' veins were connected to the vein that was ablated. If those veins have another source, then they will not go away until the source is treated. Or, if they bulge out, then they will have to be pulled out by ambulatory phlebectomy.

If you are talking about varicose veins (bulging blue veins), they can decrease over a period of 3 months. We encourage patients to wear their compression stockings for as long as possible during this time. If they are this type (varicose veins), we typically remove them through tiny punctures at the time of ablation (microphlebectomy) so they are gone instantly. If you are concerned about spider veins (flatter, small blue and red clusters of veins), they may fade in the same time frame but in many cases they do not. We then would treat them cosmetically with injections/topical laser. This is typically a series of 3-5 treatments and not covered by insurance. WE do no recommend injecting the larger varicose veins, as it involves many treatments and additional visits to release trapped blood. They can cause skin discoloration over the veins. As a surgeon, I prefer to remove these as described above: one procedure, one downtime. Our patients typically don't' experience as much discomfort as you describe. Are you taking Ibuprofen several times per day? This helps with the inflammation caused by the laser. Additionally cold packs and/or warmth to the thigh area may increase your comfort and speed up the resolution of the inflammation.

If you are talking about varicose veins (bulging blue veins), they can decrease over a period of 3 months. We encourage patients to wear their compression stockings for as long as possible during this time. If they are this type (varicose veins), we typically remove them through tiny punctures at the time of ablation (microphlebectomy) so they are gone instantly. If you are concerned about spider veins (flatter, small blue and red clusters of veins), they may fade in the same time frame but in many cases they do not. We then would treat them cosmetically with injections/topical laser. This is typically a series of 3-5 treatments and not covered by insurance. WE do no recommend injecting the larger varicose veins, as it involves many treatments and additional visits to release trapped blood. They can cause skin discoloration over the veins. As a surgeon, I prefer to remove these as described above: one procedure, one downtime. Our patients typically don't' experience as much discomfort as you describe. Are you taking Ibuprofen several times per day? This helps with the inflammation caused by the laser. Additionally cold packs and/or warmth to the thigh area may increase your comfort and speed up the resolution of the inflammation.

Laser ablation usually does not make varicose or spider veins disappear. Sometimes varicose veins will shrink over time, and this could take up to one year. Spider veins will not change following laser ablation. Treating varicose veins usually requires microphlebectomies, while spider veins usually require sclerotherapy.

Laser ablation usually does not make varicose or spider veins disappear. Sometimes varicose veins will shrink over time, and this could take up to one year. Spider veins will not change following laser ablation. Treating varicose veins usually requires microphlebectomies, while spider veins usually require sclerotherapy.

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